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Contact Info
Home Town Los Angeles, California
Last Address San Marcos, California
Date of Passing Apr 07, 1994
Location of Interment Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
In Korea he destroyed 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and damaged 3.
His Silver Star citation: Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel Robert P. Baldwin, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Fighter Airplane and Commanding Officer of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group, in action on 22 June 1953, in Korea. Colonel Baldwin distinguished himself while leading four (4) F-86 type aircraft on a fighter sweep along the Manchurian Border. He sighted four (4) enemy MIG-15 type aircraft pressing an attack against two (2) friendly aircraft and immediately led his flight into the enemy. After successfully breaking up the enemy attack, Colonel Baldwin rolled down on the trailing MIG and fired a short burst into his left wing and fuselage. Colonel Baldwin continued to score numerous hits as heavy smoke poured from both wings and the enemy aircraft went into a steep dive through the clouds. Colonel Baldwin followed him through the cloud layer and pulled up sharply to avoid hitting the ground. Later reports confirmed the destruction of the MiG. By his personal courage and exceptional flying ability in this action, Colonel Baldwin is credited with destroying his fifth (5th) MIG-15 type aircraft. Throughout his tour, Colonel Baldwin's aggressive spirit and mental alertness have brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Aircraft/Missile Information
Lockheed F-104G Starfighter Length 54.66 ft | 16.66 m Width 20.87 ft | 6.36 m Height 13.42 ft | 4.09 m Engine(s) 1 x General Electric J79-GE-11A turbojet engine generating 15,800lbs of thrust with afterburner. Empty Weight 13,995 lbs | 6,348 kg MTOW 29,055 lbs | 13,179 kg Max Speed 1,320 mph | 2,124 km/h | 1,147 kts Max Range 1,081 miles | 1,740 km Ceiling 58,005 ft | 17,680 m | 11.0 miles Climb Rate 48,000 ft/min (14,640 m/m) Hardpoints 4 Armament 1 x 20mm cannon 2 x AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
External missile load capacity of up to 4,000lbs (1,814 kg) on fuselage and wing positions. Accommodations 1
* XF-104 - Prototype of which two built. * YF-104A - Prototype Production Model Designation; 17 example prototypes built. * F-104A - Interceptor Production model featuring J79-GE-3 powerplant; limited service with USAF Air Defense Command. * F-104B - Tandem-seat trainer model. * F-104C - Tactical strike fighter-bomber model. * F-104D - Tandem-seat trainer model. * F-104G - All-weather multi-role developed by NATO consortium; Redesigned for West German Luftwaffe (Air Force) export; definitive F-104 model. * F-104J - License built F-104G for Japan; 207 produced locally by Mitsubishi for SDF. * TF-104 - Trainer variant based on F-104G model. * RF-104 - Reconnaissance variant based on F-104G model.